Vols practice next in pads, eager for ‘real ball’

Tennessee’s second week of spring football promises to be a little longer and a little more mean than the first.

The Vols capped their opening workweek with a Saturday morning session at Haslam Field. Head coach Derek Dooley said the pace is pretty fast thus far and about to pick up in intensity.

“You throw it all in, throw a lot at them, see what sticks, pick up what doesn’t, throw it back out there,” Dooley said of the team’s adjustment to their new coaches. “Each day will get a little bit more like that. You start understanding the personalities a little bit better and how to coach them.”

“But the new dimension’s really going to be Tuesday when we put the shoulder pads on. That’s when real ball starts.”

UT was limited by NCAA rules during its first two days to helmets and shorts. Full pads come Tuesday as the Vols will practice three times in the upcoming week.

Dooley likes what he has seen in the early going from senior tight end Luke Stocker.

“I think there is no question that Luke has a lot of ability. He’s got good size, he’s got the right competitive character and he’s produced. He’s one of those few guys who have shown good production, and I think he’s going to play an important role in our offense.”

Dooley told media representatives Saturday that the opportunity is there for several new faces to make an impact this season.

“We don’t have a lot of productive guys back. They’re all new to me, but there are going to be a lot of them new to you guys too.”